NEWS OF THE WEEK The Memphis Quartet Show announced the additions of Ricky Carden, Josh Franks, and Pat Barker to the organization’s Board of Directors. These three are replacing Memphis Quartet Show founders Stewart Varnado, Danny Jones, and Jimmy Blackwood. The 2024 ICM (Inspirational Country Music) Awards were presented on Wednesday at an event co-hosted by Inside Edition journalist Megan Alexander and American Idol contestant Zachariah Smith. Oak Ridge Boys baritone William Lee Golden was among the honorees, receiving the organization’s Living Legend Award. Click HERE to view a complete l ..read more

How do you come back after releasing such a phenomenal live album like “Fire on Stage”? You release “Rapture” is what you do! After the immense success from the albums “I’m a Jesus Fan” and “Fire on Stage”, the Paynes essentially reinvented themselves and released this fantastic record filled with a strong country sound, along with some rock, pop, and acoustic undertones to it. Produced by Vic Clay, “Rapture” was an extremely edgy, progressive, but yet very cohesive sounding album, and I think Vic was the perfect producer for the Paynes at this point in their career. Released on Eagle One Rec ..read more

I am in awe of God’s mercy and goodness, but I’m also reminded that “to whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). God doesn’t elevate a person so that the person can become a big shot. Everything He does is so HE can get glory. If you are in ministry, you should be humbled by this fact as opposed to being puffed up. God opened a big door for me this past week, but as I thank Him for taking such good care of me, I pray that I will also be faithful to praise Him when things do not go my way. You see, trusting God goes both ways. It’s easy to trust Him when things are going well, but wh ..read more

NEWS OF THE WEEK On Thursday morning, some SiriusXM subscribers discovered that Bill Gaither’s enLighten channel had moved from Channel 65 to Channel 150. Family Music Group announced the addition of Cheri Taylor to their roster of recording artists. Taylor resides in Santa Claus, Indiana. RELEASED THIS WEEK May 24 – Mark Lowry & Matthew Holt – Sit Up Straight And Sing: Vol 4 (CD/streaming)   May 20 – Carroll Roberson – The Promise (CD/streaming)   May 24 – Travis Tritt – Country Chapel (Vinyl) Click HERE to listen to May 2024 releases on YouTube Music. UPCOMING RELEASES T ..read more

NEWS OF THE WEEK The Gospel Music Association and GMA Foundation elected/re-elected board members for 2024-2025. Zane King and Ed Harper are among the names on the GMA board. Harper and Ed Leonard continue to hold positions on the GMA’s Executive Committee. Paul Sizelove began a 3-year term on the GMA Foundation’s board. Joseph Habedank kicked of his new tour with a surprise…a two-piece band. Pianist Josh Tomlin and guitarist Anthony Rogers will now be traveling with Habedank on his autobiography tour. Singing News announced the Top Five finalists for their 2024 Fan Awards. A Top Ten was anno ..read more

With “It’s Out of This World” being released so late in 1982, the Paynes did not release a mainline album in 1983, but rather released an independent recording filled with hymns and favorites called, “A Payne Family Tradition”. The album was totally produced by the group and featured such songs as “Never Grow Old”, “Green Pastures”, “Wayfaring Stranger” and others, and it was an album the group held very close to their heart. In 1984, the group went back into the studio and recorded one of their most popular albums, “I’m a Jesus Fan”. Produced by Ronald Drake, this recording was very differen ..read more

NEWS OF THE WEEK Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing announced they have reached an exclusive agreement with Russell Maudlin for his arranging, orchestrating, and songwriting services. Mauldin will also serve as a consultant for the recently revived choral music company. Various artists gathered in Nashville on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of a new studio for Bill Gaither’s enLighten channel on SiriusXM. Singing News magazine announced that due to a printing error on the Round Two ballot for the Fan Awards, votes in the Favorite Musician category will be delayed. The Final ballot i ..read more

Before 1982 came to a close, the Paynes released their second national recording entitled, “It’s Out of This World”. While the album had a similar feel as their “Ready or Not” album, there definitely appears to be a bit more effort put into the arrangements and overall production aspect of the album, as they began to expand their musical horizons. Much like “Ready or Not”, Mike and Loreen provided all the solo and lead vocals, but the music tracks for this album had a bit more depth to them. Produced by Shirley J. Watson, with Ronald Drake acting as Executive Producer, “It’s Out of This World ..read more

For the next group in this series, I want to take a few weeks to focus on a group called the Paynes. I came to appreciate this group during my teenage years in the 80’s, and though their time as a full-time group was relatively short lived compared to many of the legendary groups, the mark they made was enormous and is still felt today! I realize they may not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but they were certainly mine! 1982 was a pivotal year for the Paynes. By this point, the Paynes had been singing for about 9 or 10 years, mostly centered around the upper mid-west part of the country. Earl ..read more

NEWS OF THE WEEK Ernie Haase announced 12-year veteran bass singer Paul Harkey is leaving Signature Sound at the end of May. Haase also announced Harkey’s replacement will be Christopher Taylor from Miami, Florida, a new face on the Southern Gospel concert circuit. Taylor is already traveling with the group being mentored by Harkey during the transition. Taylor’s first official appearance will be during the Memphis Quartet Show in June when Signature Sound records a brand-new live album. The Memphis Quartet Show announced the live album to be recorded by Signature Sound at their event in ..read more